Apparatus for treatment of soft brick-like goods before baking



arch 24, 1936. H, H. BAILE/ Er AlT 2,035,040

APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF SOFT BRICK LIKE GOODS BEFORE BAKING SMM March 24, 1936. H H BA|LY ET AL 2,035,040

APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF SOFT BRICK LIKE GOODS BEFORE BAKING Filed June 4., 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ven for? H. A @az J. F. &}'//

ffpfoeyx QSMMTLW H. H, BAILEY ET AL Filed June 4, 1934 March 24, 1936.

APPARATUS EOE TREATMENT oF soET BRICK LIKE GooDs BEFORE EAKING xD A Patented Mar. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF SOFT BRICK-LIKE GOODS BEFORE BAKING Application June 4, 1934, Serial No. 729,014 In Great Britain June 9, 1933 20 Claims.

The present invention relates to the treatment of green clay, shale or like goods, such as bricks before burning, and more particularly to the treatment of the surfaces of such goods to obtain a so-called rustic effect. The invention relates particularly to machines for obtaining this eect, wherein one or more groups of individual bristles or like means for causing indentation of the surface of the goods are mechanically engaged with and withdrawn from the surface or surfaces of the goods. In conjunction with the action of the said bristles or the like it is usual to supply sand to the surfaces of the goods to be treated in order to obtain suitable colouring effects, the sand being pressed into the surfaces of the goods by the bristles.

For the sake of simplicity in the following description the groups of bristles or the like means for causing indentation of the surface of the goods will be referred to as brushes,

Machines as set forth above have already been constructed in which three brushes have been arranged to reciprocate rapidly towards and away from a clay column as the clay column is moved relatively to the brushes, and such machines have been found to give excellent results,

but the speed of production is limited by the frequency of vibration or reciprocation of the said brushes.

It will be appreciated that should the clay column be displaced relatively to the brushes at an excessive speed in relation to the frequency of the reciprocation of the brushes, then insufcient time would be allowed for entry and witho drawal of the bristles of the brushes into the material of the column, so that appreciable movement of the column would occur, whilst the brushes are in engagement therewith, and the indentations caused by the brushes would thus become blurred and inartistic.

According to the present invention, the brushes are caused or allowed to move in the direction of movement of the clay column at a speed equal to or approximately equal to the speed of the clay column during the time in which they are in engagement with the clay column.

According to another aspect of the invention, the resultant movement of the brushes vduring the period ci their engagement with the clay column includes a component in the direction of movement of the clay column, the value of such component being equal to or approximately equal to the movement oi the clay column during such period.

In order to obtain such movement of a brush in the direction of the clay column, the brush may be actuated by a pair of synchronized eccentrics or preferably by fo-ur such eccentrics mounted on parallel shafts arranged at right angles to the direction of movement of the clay column so as to take part in the movement of the eccentrics in the direction of motion of the clay column in addition to the movement in a direction normal to that of the clay column. Thus, during the period of engagement of the brushes with the clay, the brushes are fractionally advanced, and tend momentarily to synchronize in their forward movement with the movement of the clay. Having indented and momentarily travelled with the clay column, the brushes are -retracted away from the clay and travelled back in a direction opposite to the movement of the clay to a position ready for recommencing their indenting or puncturing action.

The speed of travel of the clay column may thus be very considerably increased.

Means may be provided for cleaning the brushes during working and mechanical means, such as rotatable cleaning devices, may be provided for effecting this automatically.

In an alternative arrangement, two cams or sets of cams may be provided for actuating the brush, one for moving the brush in the direction of the clay column, and another for moving the brush in a direction normal to the clay column.

Means may be provided for angularly displacing the brush with reference to the clay column between each engagement of the brush with the clay column. The brush may be angularly displaced, for instance, by snubbing means orby a suitable toothed or ratchet gear.

In an alternative arrangement two or more relatively short endless belts having bristles mounted therein may be arranged longitudinally of a clay column so that the bristles of each belt periodically engage and disengage the clay column. Each belt may be mounted on four parallel rollers so arranged that the angle of approach and withdrawal of each belt to the column is small, in order that the bristles may extend almost perpendicularly to the clay when making contact therewith.

In another arrangement, individual bristles may be mounted upon a relatively long endlessbelt, adapted to be moved towards and away from the clay column and the belt may be driven at a speed equal to or approximately equal to the speed of movement of the clay column.

When the brushes are driven by other means than contact with the clay, suitable means may be provided for synchronizing the movement of the brushes with the clay column. For instance, the respective parts of a differential mechanism for example, opposite bevels thereof, may be connected respectively with the brush-operating gear, and with an endless belt driving or driven by the clay column, the differential mechanism being adapted to operate a speed control gear, either for the brushes or the clay belt.

For instance in the case of a direct current electric drive an intermediate bevel may be connected with a rheostat control member.

In the case of an alternating current plant the said intermediate bevel maybe adapted directly to operate the brush gear of a variable speed induction motor through a diiferentialarm or it may operate such brush gear by means of 1a pony motor.

Suitable gearing may be provided between the clay column and the brush operating gear and the respective bevels of the differential so that when the brushes and the clay are moving in proper synchronism no movement of the intermediate bevel is obtained.

.Suitable means may be .provided for supplying sand or like material to the clay column before vorduring engagement of the same with the brush or brushes.

Aparticular `machine designed according to the present invention includes three relatively long and narrow brushes arranged lengthwise above an endless belt supporting and moving with a clay column, two of the brushes being arranged facing one another, and with their bristles subfstantially horizontal for operating on the side surfaces of the clay column and the remaining brush being arranged with its bristles substantially vertical for operating upon the upper surface of the clay column.

Each brush is mounted on a rigid framework or support which is connected at four rectangularly spaced points to two pairs of synchronized eccentrics, `each pair of eccentrics being mounted on a common shaft. Thus each brush-supporting framework may consist of two parallel coupling rods rigidly connected together and attached to the eccentric sheaves.

The drive is transmitted from a motor to a horizontal main shaft disposed parallel with and midway between the horizontal eccentric shafts of the upper brush, the said eccentric shafts being connected lwith the main shaft by a pair of relatively short chains operating upon pairs of chain sprockets mounted on said shafts, substantially at the mid-length thereof.

`The side brushes are actuated by pairs of vertical eccentric shafts, one eccentric shaft of each pair being disposed adjacent to the end of one of the horizontal eccentric shafts of the upper brush and being driven from said horizontal eccentric shaft by bevel gearing. Thus bevel .gears are mounted at both ends of both horizontal eccentric shafts to mesh with bevel gears which are mounted at the upper ends of the vertical eccentric shafts of the side brushes.

The pairs of bevel gears are mounted on splines, squares, or the like at the ends of the respective shafts so as to permit longitudinal movement of the bevel gears on said shafts, whilst the pairs of gears are borne in rigid gear housings so as to enable the gears to be maintained correctly in mesh Whilst allowing movement of said shafts in a direction perpendicular to their length to adjust the position of the brushes with respect to the clay column. Balance weights may be provided on the eccentric shafts in order as far as possible to ensure smooth running of the machine.

Each pair of eccentric shafts are movably mounted so that the brush and the eccentric shafts as a whole can be displaced towards or away from the clay column to permit adjustment of the initial positions of the brushes. To obtain this result the vertical eccentric shafts are each supported in a slidable foot-step bearing and guided by a pair of bearing arms, cach of which is slidable in a socket secured to a fixed part of the frame of the machine. Each bearing arm is threaded for engagement with a threaded adjusting spindle, on which is mounted a worm wheel.

The two adjusting spindles of each eccentric shaft are oppositely threaded, whilst the worm wheels mesh with a common worm which is mounted on a common shaft with another worm engaging the worm wheels of the adjusting mechanism of the eccentric shaft of the same brush. Thus movement of a vsingle worm shaft may be adapted to cause common displacement of the four bearing arms and of the two eccentric shafts of a brush. The horizontal eccentric shafts of the upper brush are provi ed with a similar adjusting means, but it is not necessary to provide footstep bearings for the support of these horizontal shafts.

Each brush is preferably adapted for an ilar displacement relatively to the clam column and to achieve this result, each brush is connected to its support at two points, the connection at point consisting of a pivot pin slidabie in the support-ing framework, whilst the connection at the other point consists of a pivot pin having an eccentric head mounted in the support adapted to be rotated by means of a ratchet wheel having radial teeth formed on its outer adapted for engagement with a pawl piyotally mounted on a xed part of the machine.

It will be appreciated that movement of the brush towards and away from the clay column by reason of the motion of the eccentrios will cause angular displacement of the pawl and movement of the pawl over the teeth of the ratchet wheel to cause rotatio-n of the ratchet wheel and thus angular displacement of the brush.

The brushes are preferably provided with wire bristles which are individually disposed at the corners of equilateral triangles one side of each of which is arranged approximately at 15 to the longitudinal edge of the brush.

Preferably the bristles are spaced apart by about 1/4 or 3/8". The top brush may advantageously be of about 46 in length and about l0 in width Whilst the side brushes may be about the same length but about e wide.

One form of machine for carrying thc invention into practice is shown by of example in the accompanying drawings in Which:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation taken partly in section along the line I-I of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a front elevation taken partly in section along the line II-II of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a plan View, the lower left-hand portion or quadrant of which is taken in section along the line IIL-III of Figure 2, whilst the lower right-hand quadrant is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram for a speed control gear, whilst Figures 5 and 6 are views of a detail.

The machine is supported by main columns I0, II, I2, I3. Cross members Ill, I extend between the columns I0, Il and I2, I3 for the support of longitudinal bearers IS of a clay belt I1, running over rollers I8, I9.

A main drive shaft 2!! has mounted thereon sprocket wheels 2 2, 23 for driving through chains 24, 25, sprockets 25, 2l mounted on horizontal eccentric shafts 2d, 25. vertically disposed eccentric shafts 35, 3i, 32, 33 are driven from the ends of said horizontal eccentric shafts 28, 29 by pairs of bevel wheels 34, 35 axially displaceably mounted on the ends of the vertical eccentric shafts and horizontal eccentric shafts respectively. The eccentric shaft ends are squared for engagement in corresponding bores in the bevels.

Bevels are additionally borne by bevel easings B, whereby the bevels are maintained correctly in mesh irrespective of the eccentric shafts. Each eccentric shaft has xedly secured thereon a pair of eccentrics 31.

A brush member 38 bearing a number of individual bristles for operation on the upper surface of a clay column moving along the clay belt Il is supported by a rigid frame member 39, having four rectangularly disposed eccentric straps il for engagement with the pairs of eccentrics 3l on the eccentric shafts 28, 29. Similarly, brush members lll, i2 for operating upon the side surfaces of the clay column are supported respectively by rigid frame members Q3, fi each of which has four rectangularly disposed eccentric straps for engagement with the eccentrics 3l on the eccentric shafts 35, 3l and 32, 33 respectively.

Each brush 38, lli or 42 is connected to its frame member by two connections, one connection being a pin-and-slot connection adapted to permit a limited degree of longitudinal movement of the brush relatively to its frame member, whilst the other connection consists of a pin 45 journalled in the frame member, and having an eccentric head 5 engaging the brush, whereby rotation of the pin will impart a circular displacement to the end of the brush which is connected to the eccentrically headed pin and a longitudinal displacement to the other end of the brush which is connected to the frame member by the pin-and-slot connection.

Thus rotation of the pin l5 will impart to the brush as a whole an angular displacement that is it will cause a variation in the disposition of the brush relatively to the surface o-f the clay on which it is adapted to act.

Rotation of the pin 45 is caused by means of a wheel 4l' having ratchet teeth S on the side surface thereof for engagement with a pawl 49 mounted on a Xed pivot 5).

It will be appreciated that movement of the brushes under the influence of the eccentrics 3l will cause periodic angular displacement of the pawl Q9 to cause the pawl to engage succeeding teeth on the wheel il thereby eifecting intermittent angular dis-placement thereof, and change in angular position of the brush with respect to the clay column.

Each pair of eccentric shafts adapted for operation of a brush is displaceable together with the brush-supporting frame and the brush in a direction normal to the length of the clay column for adjusting the setting of the brushes with respect to the clay column, i. e. for adjusting the average depth to which the bristles of the brushes penetrate the clay column and for adjusting the average distance by which the brushes are withdrawn from the clay column between each engagement therewith.

To obtain this result each vertical eccentric sha-ft is supported in a footstep bearing 5I which is slidable in a transverse direction and is borne below and above the eccentrics by bearing arms 52, 53 each of which is slidable in a socket 54, 55.

'Ihe sockets 54, 55 are rigidly secured to a fixed vertical frame member 56 which is apertured for the passage therethrough of oppositely oppositely threaded openings in the bearing arms 52, 53. The adjusting spindles 5l, 58 have fxedly mounted thereon worm wheels 59, 60 which cornmonly engage one of two worms 6I arranged on a worm shaft 62.

The other worm EI on the shaft 52 is adapted for operation of worm wheels and adjusting spindles associated with the other eccentric shaft of the pair operating one and the same brush-supporting frame. The worm shaft 62 is adapted to be manually rotated by means of a hand wheel 5l'.

Thus the worm shaft 62 is adapted for adjustment of the eccentric shafts 32, and the brush 5.2 whilst the worm shaft 63 is adapted for adjustment of the eccentric shafts 3i), SI and the brush lil. The worm shaft 63 is adapted to be manually rotated by means of a hand wheel 68.

The horizontal eccentric shafts 28, 29 are similarly adjusted through a pair of worms 64, mounted on a worm shaft 55 and operating through similar worm Wheels, adjusting spindles and bearing arms.

It will be observed that as the bevels 34, 35 are mounted in a rigid housing 35 and as the bevels are slidably mounted on the eccentric shafts adjustment of the eccentric shafts 1n directions normal to their lengths will not upset the meshing of the bevels.

The main drive shaft 2l! is supported in bearings 59, lll, lI and is driven through a beit 'I2 and belt pulleys i3, 'Ill by an electric motor l5. A shaft 'l driven through a pair of bevels Il from the main drive shaft 2b is adapted through a train of bevel gears including pairs of bevels 18, 79, to drive one bevel 8E] of a differential gear 8l.

The opposite bevel 82 of the differential gear 8| is driven by the pulley I9 of the clay belt I'I. The shaft 83 of an intermediate bevel 84, which is adapted to be angularly displaced when the bevels 8U, 82 are rotated at different speeds, has mounted thereon a switch contact 85 which is adapted for engagement with successive contact members 85 which are tapped from the field resistance 8l of a direct current dynamo-electric machine.

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram showing the field 88 and the field resistance B'I of such a dynamoelectric machine together with the displaceable contact Ymember 85.

The combined velocity ratio of the bevel pairs 78, T9 is so chosen that the bevels 85, 82 of the differential gear Ill rotate at the same speed when the speed of operation of the brushes is exactly appropriate to the speed of the clay belt, that is to say when the average longitudinal component of velocity of the brushes is appropriate to the longitudinal speed of the clay column.

The eccentric shafts are provided with balance weights 66 to assist in the smooth running of the machine.

threaded adjusting spindles 5l', 58 engaging in Suitable hoppers 99 and chutes QI are shown sand or like comminutedlmaterial to'the surfaces of the clay column and-the backing -plate-of the brush 3B `is shown in -Figure-Sashaving slots or openings 89 for permitting the passage of sand through the brush to the=clay column.

We declare that whatwe claim is:-

1. An apparatus for the treatment of soft brick-like goods before baking, comprising a supporting structure including a bed adapted to receive the goods to be treated incolumn form, means for displacing the goods along said bed, a brush member disposed parallel to one surface of the goods, and having bristles extending substantially normal to the surface of the goods, a pair of eccentric shafts having their axes parallel to said surface of the goods, at least one eccentric on each eccentric shaft and a rigid frame member supporting said brush, and including eccentric `straps engaging said eccentrics and means for driving said eccentric shafts.

2. An apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before baking, comprising a supporting structure including a bed adapted to receive the goods to be treated in column form, means for displacing the goods along said bed, a brush member disposed parallel to one surface of the goo-ds, and having bristles extending substantially normal to the surface of the goods, a pair of eccentric shafts having their axes parallel to said surface of the goods, at least one eccentric on each eccentric shaft and a rigid frame member supporting said brush, and including eccentric straps engaging said eccentrics, means for driving said eccentric shafts, and means for commonly adjusting the spacing of said eccentric shafts, and consequently of the brush from the surface of the goods to be treated.

3. An apparatus for the treatment of sof t bricklike goods before baking, comprising a supporting structure including a bed adapted to receive the goods to be treated in column form, means for displacing the goods along said bed, a brush member disposed parallel to one surface of the goods, and having bristles extending substantially normallto the surface of the goods, a pair of -eccentric shafts having their axes parallel to said surface of the goods, at least one eccentric on each eccentric shaft and a rigid frame member supporting said brush, and including eccentric straps engaging said eccentrics, means fordriving said eccentric shafts, and-means forangularly displacing the brush relatively to its supporting frame member about-an axis perpendicular to the surface of the goods to be treated.

4. An apparatus for the treatment of soft brick-like goods before baking, comprisingasupporting structure including a bed adapted to receive the goods to be treated in column form, means for displacing the goods along said bed, a brush member disposed parallel to one surface of the goods, and having bristles extending substantially normal to the surface of the goods, a pair of eccentric shafts having their axes parallel to said surface of the goods, at least one eccentric on each eccentric shaft and a rigid frame member supporting said brush, and including eccentric straps engaging said eccentrics, means for driving said eccentric shafts, and means for angularly displacing the brush relatively to its supporting frame member about an axis perpendicular to the surface of the goods to be treated, su'ch means being dependent for its operation upon the displacement of the brush-supporting member under the influence of said eccentrics.

5. Apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before baking comprising af supporting structuraabed for-receiving the goods in column form, means for feeding the goods along said bed, a pair of horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pair of vertical eccentric shafts on each side of said bed, driving means for said eccentric shafts and a brush member operatively connected with each pair of eccentric shafts vadapted for displacement into and out of engagement with the goods on rotation of said shafts, such displacement including a component of movement in the direction of movement of the goods at least during engagement of the brush members with the goods.

6. Apparatus for'the treatment of soft bricklike-goods before baking comprising a supporting structure, a bed for receiving the goods in column form, means for feeding the goods along the bed, a pair of horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pair of vertical eccentric shafts on each side of said bed, driving means for said eccentric shafts, eccentrics on said eccentric shafts, a brush member associated with each pair of eccentric shafts each having a plurality of individual bristles extending at an angle to the surface of the goods, a rigid frame member including eccentric straps connecting each pair of eccentric shafts with one of said brush members whereby rotation of the eccentric shafts imparts a circular movement to the brushes Whilst maintaining said angular disposition of the bristles relatively to the goods.

7. Apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before baking comprising a supporting structure, a bed for receiving the goods in column form, meansfor feeding the goods along said bed, a pair of horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pair of vertical eccentric shafts on each side of said bed, driving means connected to one pair of eccentric shafts, transmission means between said one pair of eccentric shafts and the other eccentric shafts and a brush member operatively connected With each pair of eccentric shafts adapted for displacement into and out of engagement With the goods on rotation of said shafts, such displacement including a component of movement in the direction of movement of the goods at least during engagement of the brush members with the goods.

3. Apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before baking comprising a supporting structure, a bed for receiving the goods in column form, means for feeding the goods along said bed, a pair of horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pairl of vertical eccentric shafts on cach side of said bed, driving means connected to said horizontal eccentric shafts, a bevel gear on each end of each horizontal eccentric shaft, a. bevel gear at the upper end of each vertical eccentric shaft engaging a bevel on a horizontal eccentric shaft and a brush member operatively connected with each pair of eccentric shafts adapted for displacement into and out of engagement with the goods on rotation of said shafts, such dis-placement including a component of movement in the direction of movement of the goods at least during engagement of the brush members with the goods.

9. Apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before baking comprising a supporting structure, a bed for receiving the goods in column form, means for feeding the goods along said bed, a pair of horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pair of vertical eccentric shafts -on fshafts, such displacement including a component of movement in the direction of movement of the goods at least during engagement of the brush members with the goods, means for displacing said eccentric shafts in pairs towards and away from the bed to adjust the position of the brushes relatively to the bed, driving means connected to said horizontal eccentric shafts, bevel pairs axially displaceably mounted one on the end of a horizontal eccentric shaft and one at the upper end of a vertical eccentric shaft and rigid housings for said bevel pairs to maintain the same in correct mesh.

10. Apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before baking comprising a supporting structure, a bed for receiving the goods in column form, means for feeding the goods along said bed, a pair of horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pair of vertical eccentric shafts on each side of said bed, driving means for said eccentric shafts, a brush member operatively connected with each pair of eccentric shafts adapted for displacement into and out of engagement with the goods on rotation of said shafts, such displacement including a component of movement in the direction of movement of the goods at least during engagement of the brush members with the goods, and means for angularly displacing the brushes about axes normal to the respective surfaces of the goods upon which they operate.

11. Apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before baking comprising a supporting structure, a bed for receiving the goods in column form, means for feeding the goods along the bed, a pair of horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pair of vertical eccentric shafts on each side of said bed, driving means for said eccentric shafts, eccentrics on said eccentric shafts. a brush member associated with each pair of ec- :centric shafts each having a plurality of individual bristles extending at an angle to the surface of the goods, a rigid frame member including eccentric straps connecting each pair of eccentric shafts with one of said brush members whereby rotation of the eccentric shafts imparts a circular movement to the brushes whilst maintaining said angular disposition of the bristles relatively to the goods and means for angularly displacing the brushes relatively to said rigid frame members about axes normal to the respective surfaces of the goods upon which they operate.

12. Apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before baldng comprising a supporting structure, a bed for receiving the goods in column form, means for feeding the goods along the bed, a pair of horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pair of vertical eccentric shafts on each side of said bed, driving means for said eccentric shafts, eccentrics on said eccentric shafts. a brush member associated with each pair of eccentric shafts each having a plurality of individual bristlesextending at an angle to the surface of the goods, a rigid frame member including eccentric straps connecting each pair of eccentric shafts with one of said brush members whereby rotation of the eccentric shafts imparts a circular movement to the brushes whilst maintaining said angular disposition of the bristles relatively to the goods, a pin and slot connection between each brush and its rigid frame member adjacent one end thereof, an eccentrical- 1y headed pin borne by the rigid frame member and engaging the brush adjacent the other end thereof and means for angularly displacing said eccentrically headed pin to vary the angular position of the brushes relatively to the respective surfaces of the goods upon which they operate.

13. Apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before baking comprising a supporting structure, a bed for receiving the goods in column form, means for feeding the goods along the bed, a pair of horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pair of vertical eccentric shafts on each side of said bed, driving means for said eccentric shafts, eccentrics on said eccentric shafts, a brush member associated with each pair of eccentric shafts, each having a plurality of individual bristles extending at an angle to the surface of the goods, a rigid frame member including eccentric straps connecting each pair of eccentric shafts with one of said brush members whereby rotation of the eccentric shafts imparts a circular movement to the brushes whilst maintaining said angular disposition of the bristles relatively to the goods, a pin and slot connection between each brush and its rigid frame member adjacent one end thereof, an eccentrically headed pin borne by the rigid frame member and engaging the brush adjacent the other end thereof, a ratchet wheel on said pin and a pawl mounted on a xed pivot for engagement with said ratchet wheel to rotate the same on movement of the rigid frame member under the influence of said eccentric shafts.

14. Apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before baking comprising a supporting structure, a bed for receiving the goods in column form, means for feeding the goods along said bed, a pair of horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pair of vertical eccentric shafts on each side of said bed, driving means for said eccentric shafts, a brush member operatively connected with each pair of eccentric shafts adapted for displacement into and out of engagement with the goods on rotation of said shafts, such displacement including a component of movement in the direction of movement of the goods at least during engagement of the brush members with the goods, socket members rigidly secured to said supporting structure, pairs of internally and oppositely threaded bearing arms engaging each eccentric shaft and each extending into a socket member, a threaded adjusting spindle engaging in each bearing arm, a worm wheel secured to each adjusting spindle, and worm shafts each having two worms thereon each engaging the worm wheels of a pair of adjusting spindles of a pair of eccentric shafts whereby each pair of eccentric shafts and the brush associated therewith may be adjusted as to position relatively to the goods by rotation of said worm shaft.

15. Apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before'baking comprising a supporting structure, a bed for receiving the goods in column form, means for feeding the goods along the bed, a pair of horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pair of vertical eccentric shafts on each side of said bed, driving means for said eccentric shafts, eccentrics on said eccentric shafts, a brush member associated with each pair of eccentric shafts each having a plurality of individual bristles extending at an angle to the surface of the goods, a rigid frame member including eccentric straps connecting each pair of ecwhereby rotation'of the eccentric shafts-imparts a circular movement to the brushes whilst maintaining said angular disposition of the bristles y relatively to the goods, socket membersrigidly secured to said supporting structure, pairs of internally and oppositely threaded bearing arms engaging each eccentric shaft and each extending into a socket member, a threaded adjusting-spindle engaging in each bearing arm, a worm wheel secured to each adjusting spindle, and worm shafts each having two worms thereon cachengaging the worm wheels of a pair of adjusting spindles of a pair of eccentric shafts whereby each pair of eccentric shafts and the brush associated therewith may be adjusted as to positionr relatively to the goods byrotation of said worm shaft.

16. Apparatus for the treatment of soft bricklike goods before baking'comprising a supporting structure, a bed for receiving the goods in column form, means for feeding the goods along said bed, a pair o-f horizontal eccentric shafts above said bed, a pair of vertical eccentric shafts on each'side of said bed, a main drive shaft, a prime mover for driving said driving shaft, driving means betweenb said main drive shaft andsaid eccentric shafts, a brushmember operatively connected with each pair of-eccentricshafts adapted .for displacement into and out of engagement withY the goods onvrotation of said shafts, such.y

displacement including a component of` movement in the directionrofmovement ofthe goods at least during engagement ofthe brush members Withthe goods, andrcontrol gear for adjust' .ing the relative speeds of the goodsalongsaid.

bed and thefmain-driveshaft/including.. a differential geark having. opposite bevels one. driven fromithe feeding means for the goods andthe. other driven fromsa-idniainv drive shaft.. and an4 intermediatebevel having a.. spindle extending` therefromzfor adjusting the speed ofsaid-prime mover, in the eventk of a.difference in-thezspeed..

of said.oppositehei/els..4

lflnAn` apparatusfor. the. treatment of sol-ft brick-like` goods before baking` comprising., means for applying oomminuted materialsuch as sand.'

to atleast. one surface. ot the. goods,.means for; displacing said goods along.. a` given. path, a plurality of..bristlelike members capable of indentfI centric shafts with one of said brush membersing the surface of the goods on' engagement therewith to press said com minuted material -into the surface of the goods and means fory displacing said bristle-like members so as to' impart thereto components of movement towards the goods and in the direction of movement ofl the,

goods.

18. An apparatus for the treatment of soft brick-like goods before baking comprising means` for applying comminuted material such assandv to at least. one surface of the goods', meansfor displacing said-goods along a given path, a plu rality ofbristle-like members directed substan` tially normally to the surface of the goodsvand capable of indenting the surface of the goods on engagement therewithto press said comminuted.

material into the surface of the goods, and means for displacing said bristle-like members into engagement with the goods, such'displacement in-V for displacing said goods along a givenfpatlna` pluralityv of bristle-like memberscapable of. in-

denting the surface of the goods on engagement.

therewith, means for displacingA said bristle-like memberssoasto impart theretocomponents of. 30- movement towards the goods and in the direction. of movement. ofthe goods and .means .for displacing,V said bristle-like members.- transversely. of. the.- pathof-4 the. goods betweenv successive. indenting,

movements.

20. An apparatus, forA the. treatment ofx soft brickflike` goodstbefore baking.. comprising.y meansfor: displacingl said. goods. along. a givenl path, a group .ofbristle-like members .capable of indent.-

ing` the. surface. of. the.. goods on. engagement. therewith, .means for displacing` saidv bristle-like. members. so. asto. impart theretocomponents of movement towardsthe goodsand in the direction of movementof` the. goods and means for bodily angularly displacing, said. group of bristle-like. memberslaboutsan axisnormal to the surface of.

thegoods.

HERBERT H BAILEY- JAMES. FRANCIS GILL. 

